The BMW M3 GTR on the road

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

BMW M3 GTR

In February 2001 BMW presented a pure-bred sportscar for road use – the BMW M3 GTR powered by a V8 engine. This car, which is racing from victory to victory in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), is built by BMW M from January 2002. The flexible production facilities of BMW Individual permit the production of a small series. Road licensing is possible.

By using carbon fiber body parts and by completely foregoing any comfort equipment, the two-seater M3 GTR is a car for true purists. An empty weight of approx. 1350 kilograms has been achieved. The 4.0 litre V8 engine with a cylinder bank angle of 90 degrees resembles the race version featuring in excess of 450 hp. Due to the necessary adaptations regarding emissions and noise levels the road version still generates more than 258 kW (350 hp).

The M3 GTR road version is kept technically as close as possible to the racing version. Apart from the extremely light V8 engine this includes dry sump lubrication, a 6-speed gearbox, a two-disc sports clutch and the variable M differential lock. For weight reduction purposes the roof, the rear spoiler as well as the front and rear aprons are made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic – just like in the race version. Additional cooling slits in the bonnet ensure the high-performance The extended front and rear apron as well as the rear spoiler optimize the aerodynamics of the M3 GTR.